The Limits of Tolerance

The building of the proposed "Cordoba Institute" community center at Ground Zero in downtown NYC, appears to be a controversy that is getting more polarized over time.  And it's not going away.

Almost every major American media news outlet, prominent blogs online, message boards, and the mainstream political discourse is chiming in.  The feedback is often heated, emotional and sometimes extreme.

Yursil has a good post at the "Mind, Body, Soul" blog, on the ongoing Ground Zero mosque issue.  

  

The holy months of 1431

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

Long has it been since I've blogged. Neglect has its consequences, but as Sha'ban 1431 approaches, perhaps new openings may come from better places.

As Rajab 1431 leaves this world, Lokman Hoja - the vekil of my Sheykh - is saying:

"Rajab is the month of Allah, as holy Prophet (as) is saying....we must keep our holy days and months, holy...(realize) that once it has passed, it will never come back again..."

Looking back on my earlier writing on "Rajab, Ramadan and Tolkien," I feel a sense of remorse that yet again, heedlessness had its hold on me. Yet, I also have hope and gratitude. Fortunately I was able to celebrate two holy days this Rajab at the Osmanli Dergah in Sidney Center, NY.

Two holy days which I never knew existed, nor how to pay the proper respect to, until recently.

1) Laylat-Ragh'aib (commemorating the conception of the holy Prophet)

2) Laylat-Mir'aj (the night of the ascension)

Prior to 1431/2010, sure - I'd come across information about the Mir'aj, it's a huge tenet of Islamic belief. But other than learning 'fiqh aspects' of the holy day and isolated exhortations at Jumah, how would it come alive and have meaning?

In years past, the month of Allah would come and go - and I'd grasp at straws, struggling to regard it as more than just a religious platitude. Even invoking the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a desperate metaphor to give it some spirit !

This year I took part in what Yursil once called, the circles of dignity, and made zikr with those who are closer to Allah and His Beloved (as).

Most Muslims don't even know what Ragh'aib is. Years ago, I came across it via superficial readings of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (ra) , yet it was something I ignored - foolishly - out of a suspicion that it may not be an authentic part of our traditions.

But in parts of the world where traditions are still kept alive - even if they are not religious - Ragh'aib is commemorated. And yet many Muslims will continue to bicker in their ignorance, finding excuses for themselves NOT to remember holy days and holy months.

Sha'ban, the month of the Prophet (as), approaches. And with it, comes Barat - the night of Accountability. Will we honor it when it comes?

Sheykh Abdul Kerim Kibrisi Hazretleri is saying, in a sohbet:

"Week after week, year after year I am saying, Sheykh Mawlana is saying and we are going to say. The holy days and the holy nights are approaching. In these nights take it seriously. Take it seriously! It's only five nights a year, not ten. There are three hundred and sixty five days in a year and there are only five nights that are very holy. You cannot keep up with that? What kind of faith you have then? Where is your faith?"

Sha'ban Mubarak to everyone!

On the Response to Umar Lee on Sh Hamza Yusuf

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

There's been an interesting discussion started by Umar Lee entitled "Rand Institute Muslims," in reference to the American think-tank that outlined a strategy on how to make Islam "more civil and democratic." (http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1716.pdf_)

It's beginning to cause a stir (http://ginnysthoughts.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/rim-rand-institute-muslims-%C2%AB-umar-lee/), which is bordering on the personal.

One detailed response to the Umar Lee post, already broadcasted by Deenport.com, has come from Indigo Jo (http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2009/01/18/response_to_umar_lee_on_shaikh) , where he describes his motivations to respond:

"I have shied away from "debating" Umar over his ramblings about "masculinity" the last couple of years, but when I see these same attitudes paired with slander of scholars, I cannot continue to keep quiet."

It is good that people are not choosing silence anymore, in light of ongoing events.

This is my original comment on Indigo Jo's response, which he has not yet published:

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

An interesting topic, with perhaps more issues raised than can be handled in one blogpost.

While Umar Lee may have gone overboard in casting Hamza Yusuf as the king of 'RAND Muslims,' I think he raises some valid issues.

It's important for Muslims to remember, that any leader we have in these times is not above questioning. There are traditions from Rasulullah that warn about leaders in the end of times appearing to be knowledgeable, but in reality are `asaghir ("little ones") who are the worst hypocrits.

These are real prophecies, not to be dismissed or overlooked while we consult our Maliki and Shafi'i manuals of fiqh on obscure matters. We should ask ourselves why the stalwarts among the `ulema are deemphasizing these aspects of the deen, in favor of efforts to canonize and bring an ecclesiastical framework to Islamic knowledge.

The reason why this should be a cause for concern, and a vital discussion for us, lies in the nature of leadership itself. For example, Malcolm X may not have been a scholar or faqih, but he led by his example in standing up for the truth, even when it was bitter and politically inconvenient. And his efforts, galvanized many Muslims in America against obvious injustices. The authorities feared his agitations would bring about an uprising, and he was assassinated while speaking the truth to power. Many still remember his example today, and became Muslim through him.

There is historical precedent for this kind of an uprising against injustice - from Salahuddin Ayubi (ra). And many others who we may come to know, once we truly learn about our history.

Your response to Umar Lee, while methodical and in my opinion, with good adab (manners), has a kind of finality to it, that smacks of the Salafi/Wahabi refutations. I feel this should not be about defending Hamza Yusuf, despite our love for what he's done. It should raise further questions.

It was from Hamza Yusuf that I learned, that Imam Shafi'i (ra) used to make a du'a before engaging in debate, that Allah place the truth on the opponent's tongue, so that he would be able to accept it.

We should respect Umar Lee's opinions, and not sweep our dirty laundry under the carpet in the name of 'defending our scholars.'

Reflections on `Ashura

BismillahirRahmanirRahim,

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he was asked about fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram]. He said, I did not see the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fast a day while more avid to seek its virtue than this day, meaning the Day of `Ashura . [Bukhari (2006), and Muslim (1132)].

Tirmidhi relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to a man, If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in. [Tirmidhi (841)]

It amazes me how, when I've made paltry efforts to remind people about Muharram and `Ashura, many Muslims aren't sure how to react to it.

Before taking bayat with my sheykh, I too was heedless. Sure, I'd know "objectively" that Muharram was one of the holy months mentioned by Allah , that Ashura is its 10th day and it is Sunnat to fast on it and a day before or after.

These facts I gathered on Muharram and `Ashura from SunniPath, Zaytuna and other sources online, swirled around in my mind, albeit incoherently. I sort of knew that it'd be good to do these things, but actually performing them was a minor jihad!

Perhaps an obstacle that taints the spirit of `Ashura for most Sunni Muslims, is what it has become associated with. The ignorant and baseless practices that some of our ummah perform in the name of commemorating Imam Husayn's sacrifice, in effect, have given a bad name to this holy Day (radhi Allahu anhu).

I saw this blemish in action, when chatting with a close friend online. No matter how much I told him that celebrating Muharram and `Ashura was very much a part of our traditions, he wanted nothing to do with it. His "exemplar" was the Saudi-Wahhabi paradigm, of which he is gradually weaning off from, insha'Allah Rahman.

According to our sheykh, Tuesday was yaum-e-Ashura. I made intention to hold firmly to the fast, and I hope Allah will accept whatever I did good in it. Alhamdulillah, I made it to the dergah safe, having broken my fast on the road trip upstate.

After some zikr, we had an energetic hadra, masha'Allah. In our holding each other's hands, forming a circle and exclaiming loud remembrances of our Lord, it felt as though the remnants of our evil selves were being stomped on. The sheykh and his chosen murids were leading us all the way. But no matter how exalted we may have momentarily felt, our feet were firm on the ground, thanks to our sheykh.


Then we had sohbet, where Sheykh offered us all some tea, and a special dessert (picture and caption taken from someone more devoted than myself - Yasin, of hakkani.wordpress.com):

Our sheykh also told us about the momentous events that occured in history on the day of `Ashura. It is the day on which the ship of Noah (as) landed on top of a mountain. On the tenth day, Ashura, we prepare the delicious desert Aşure in keeping with the Ottoman tradition. The sweet is also known as Noah’s Pudding and is made with dried fruit and beans. The story goes: when Noah’s ship settled on the top of the mountain, the surviving believers gathered the remaining rations and prepared them into Ashure.

It is also known that Moses (as) fasted on this day to commemorate Allah saving him and his people, and drowned Pharoah and his people.

One of the murids asked sheykh what the greater wisdom was behind the sacrifice of Imam Husayn (ra), knowing that he was plunging himself to certain death. Our sheykh was measured in his response, as if not wanting to say so much, and then stated that it was destiny. Sheykh mentioned that some older companions of holy Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallim - advised him not to go. Even Imam Hasan (ra) did the same. But Imam Husayn (ra) chose to go inspite of all this. Our sheykh said that there are higher stations for Imam Husayn (ra) because of it.

We were also told about lost Sunnats of Ashura, including giving in charity, rubbing the head of an orphan in kindness and to take care of orphans, to wear kohl/surmak (?) on the eye.

Being here in dergah in the midst of all this, alhamdulillah, made it feel like a holy Day was upon us. If Allah forgave an entire people on this day, I pray that He forgave me of my many evils and sins.

On Muharram 1, 1430 AH

Bismillahir-Rahman ar-Rahim,

On Muharram 1, 1430 A.H.

By the grace of Allah and His beloveds, I once again feel the need to type my thoughts.

As of sunset on 12/28/08, we entered into 1430 A.H.. One thousand, four hundred and
thirty years since the momentous event of Allah's Messenger - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallim -
migrating to the city of safety - Madinah.

Where is our refuge, today?

In the past 2 months alone, a constant barrage of "doom and gloom" news permeated
the media. For those of us who observe daily events with discernment, it is clear we
are ALL enmeshed in an economic crisis that is still unraveling.

Most of us are so intensely drugged by these media outlets; so, we could not
avoid noticing the decline:

- Stock markets slide, with historic losses

- Banks and major industries seek government bailouts

- Countries declaring bankruptcy

- Unusual extremes of weather

- Hunger a real possibility in lands of prosperity

- Bloodshed and strife, where might prevails

In the midst of all these trials - which are still going on and WORSENING, at the time
of this writing - our heedlessness still makes the wealthier of us wonder, what will happen
on the night of Dec 31, 2008? Who will go to Times Square and watch the ball come down?
Who will be with me on that night, and make me happy to ring in the new year?

There is no "happy new year" greeting that can be said with an iota of sincerity.
Our Sheykh is saying, that major fitan (tribulations) are headed our way.

The question still stands - where can safety be found today?

Many sayings of our holy Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallim - warn us of
the Last Day. Our Sheykh keeps warning us of the trials therein; of which the Dajjal
is only a part, will be immense and unprecedented in human history.

There is a sound tradition (paraphrased here) where Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) asked
the holy Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallim - on what can be done when the trials come?

The advice given by Rasulullah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallim - was 'Kitab-ullah'
(the book of Allah - ie. the holy Qur'an).

But who will be our exemplars in this endeavor, to help us LIVE this knowledge we absorb?
Where do we discover the living Sunnat right before our very eyes, especially
in these trying times? To whom do we give our ALLEGIANCE?

It can only be - to the true inheritors of the Prophets.

Where can we find them?

A hadith qudsi clearly states, that if we walk to our Lord, then He runs to us.
And the book of our Lord states - to obey the messenger of Allah, will grant us His love,
and promised safety. Everlasting success, in this life AND the next. No fear, and no grief.

In this Muharram, may we all run to the true inheritors of our holy Prophet
- alayhi salat was salam. And may Allah subhana wa ta'ala assist us in finding them,
loving them and serving them. Amin.

Please spare a moment for me in your du'as.

Notes from Prison - 3

(3rd part in this ongoing series: more pearls from Alija Izetbegovic's treasure chest, 'Notes from Prison, 1983-1988)

-They were not Arabs, but they wrote in the Arabic language: Abu Nives, one of the greatest poets of Arab poetry, was Persian. Ibn el Mustafa, also a Persian, was the author of the most beautiful Arab prose (second century after Hijra). Sibenshi, the famous systemizer of Arab grammar, Ibn Sinna and the great scientist El-Birouni were also Persians. Ibn Rumi was of Greek origin, as well as the geographer Jakub, while Ibn-Kufi (Spanish chronicler), Ibn Hazm (theologian and writer) and Ibn Kuzman (great poet) were of Visigoth origin [Francesco Gabrielli, The History of Arab Literature, p.11]

In the first centuries of Islam, the predominance of Arabic language was absolute. The only exception to it was the Persian national reaffirmation movement in the tenth and eleventh centuries, first in poetry and then in prose. The complete separation of Persian literature from Arab happened only recently. The predominance of the Arabic language was everywhere due to the predominance of the Qur'an in spiritual life.

-Considering the relationships between the Arab-Muslim and Spanish-Catholic communities in the medeival Spain, Ortega Y Gasset said: "It is a real shame that the relationships that existed between these two communities have not yet come to light. We must admit that our Arabists (scientists who study the Arab world), led by Ribero, have made some important steps in the attempt to get a clearer picture of the way the Moors and the Spanish lived together. However, unless this issue is approached from deeper layers, it will not be possible to read much further."

Gasset believes that lack of knowledge or poor knowledge also characterized the relationship between Europe and Islam in general - "ignorance of the fact is one of the big realities of the history of the West" (Gasset in his preface to Ibn Hazm's Dove's Necklace)

-With the exception of the Mayan culture, ended by forceful death, all other cultures in history died gradually as a consequence of aging, the slowing down of life rhythm, some kind of sclerosis, that is, of internal changes. This process can be followed most clearly in Roman civilization, where the invasion of barbarians was just a coup de grace for an organism that had been in the state of agony for two centuries. The Arab civilization was not an exception to this rule. It is up to historians to establish what this culture suffered from, to examine the causes of its decline, in which colonial subjugation was not the reason for its fall but rather a consequence of its internal descent. Anyway, does the Qur'an not say: "Verily, never will God change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)" [Qur'an 13:11]. It could be said that this rule has the power of natural law in the life peoples and their movement through history.

It is a Gift

I won't be posting for a while, so I thought I'd leave you all with a beautiful prayer.

It's taken from Sh. Muzaffer Ozak al-Jerrahi's "Adornment of Hearts," page 137. It's listed as his gift 'to dervishes and friends:'

Allahumma ya mufattihu fattih umuruna ala-l-khayri

wa-llahu khayrun hafizan wa huwa arhamu-r-rahimin

(translation: O Allah, O Opener! Open the way for establishing our affairs in goodness

Allah is the Supreme Guardian, the Most Merciful of the merciful)

The Sheikh recommends that whoever recites this invocation seven times after their morning prayer, Allah will make his life prosper.

May we all benefit from this invocation. It may bring light, to our darkest hours.

Ramadan leaves Middle Earth

All good things...must come to an end.

For Muslims around the world, the end of Ramadan culminates in Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the two major Eid holidays. It's a time for celebration, to rejoice in our blessings. Eids are festive occasions where people love to congregate for prayer, visit relatives & loved ones, and have feasts in exuberance. Music (yes!), dressing up, kids hankering elders for "Eidee" money/gifts. Who says Muslims don't know how to have fun?

Spiritually, it may be cause for sadness. Sh Nuh in his "Ramadan and You" lecture relates the tradition where Rasulullah (saw) informs us that 'the fiends are manacled' in this holy month. Those fiends being, the minions of evil. He also advised to throw ourselves into performing good deeds. A Naqshabandi murid related from his sheikh that it's as if Allah gives us a blank check for `amalus-salihaat. Little wonder then, why Ramadan is the Month of Mercy.

But was it truly a Rahma to those who suffered earthquakes, floods or natural disasters? And these are only what's reached us via the mainstream media. Who knows what quiet earthquakes erupt in people's lives, in families, in unknown households, or in far off lands we least expect to hear from?

One of Abdul-Hakim Murad's latest contentions, reads thus:

His name in our age is al-Sabur

Al-Sabur means the Most Patient, the Most Forbearing. And given the kind of unpredictable, massive fitan we've been having in our world, patience has become a buzzword on our lips. Easy advice to offer others, but extremely difficult to practice. Especially on ourselves.

But nothing good ever comes easy. I wrote an earlier post on Rajab, Ramadan and Tolkein where I mused on how Gandalf the Grey wizard was Rajab, and Ramadan was Gandalf the White. From the movie standpoint, it's apparent that "grey-Gand" is more rooted in the Shire of the Hobbits, more folksy in his ways, even provincial when contrasted with Saruman. To me, grey-Gand represents a kind of village Friend of God (Wali) that is accessible, simple and full of love. And the `amir (leader) of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) tells us that Rajab is the Month of God & that Ramadan is the month of the ummah (community). In the Two Towers film, Gandalf the White appears from the darkness of Fangorn forest, but is changed. He does not even initially recollect his former 'grey' past, only aware that his mission is unfinished & that it is why he's been sent back to Middle Earth.

The Battle for Helm's Deep ensues, where elves and men fight alongside each other, against the relentless siege of evil unleashed by Sauron and Saruman. Anyone who's watched the Two Towers will not fail to appreciate the sheer grandeur of those war scenes. Or of the shots where the women and children are shown, tugging at our heartstrings. The fear in the eyes of the warriors for good; and yet, they fight on, with patience. Gandalf the White fights valiantly, alongside legions of soldiers of Rohan. And the bounty of Providence, where fate provides the seemingly outnumbered with formidable allies, as God says in the Qur'an of those who TRULY are conscious of Him:

"...from sources they could never imagine..."

But what does Gandalf the white say, at the end of this?

The Battle for Helm's Deep, is over. But the battle for Middle Earth, has just begun.

Indeed, this month has passed. No more special ease with worship. The fiends will be unleashed again, and we shall be left to our post-Ramadan `anfus (selves). Scary thought, isn’t it?

In the Fellowship film, Gandalf the Grey advises Elrond, father of Arwen, the elven chief of Rivendell to place the hopes of victory in the hands of Men. What does Elrond say in reply?

"Men are weak...it was because of Men that evil was allowed to survive...there is no strength left in them"

Do we prove him wrong? Do we prove ourselves wrong, and strive to improve ourselves and those around us? To contribute, and to leave this world a better place?

Or will we continue to have our heads in the sand, and remain victims of circumstance?

Ya Malik, Ya Hakeem. Keep us strong & wise. And ready for battle against all dhulm.

Eid Mubarak, everyone! Spare a moment for me in your prayers.

This is 'Dedo'

Alija Izetbegovic was affectionately known as 'Dedo' (grandfather in Bosnian) by many Bosnian Muslims. He passed away from this world on October 19, 2003.

Some excerpts from his preface to Notes from Prison: 1983-1988:

-what the reader is about to embark upon (and perhaps read) is my escape to freedom. To my regret, this, of course, was not a real escape, but I wish it were. This was the only possible escape from the Foca prison, with its high walls and iron bars - an escape of mind and thought.

-I could not speak, but I could think, and I decided to use that possibility to the maximum. At first I had silent discussions on all kinds of things and I commented on the books I was reading and the events taking place outside. I then started taking notes, secretly at first, but I then became quite "arrogant" - I sat, read and wrote.

-the value of these thoughts, therefore, is not in the thoughts themselves, but rather in the circumstances they were written in. On the side of the wall there was the total silence of the prison, and on the outside there were inklings of a tempest that was to become a hurricane in 1988 that would crush the Berlin Wall, sweep away Honecker and Ceausescu, destroy the Warsaw Treaty and shake the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. I had an almost physical sensation of the passage of time and its phases changing right before my eyes.

-these are thoughts on freedom, the physical and the inner, on life and destiny, on people and events, on books read and their authors, on imagined, unwritten letters to my children- in other words, on everything that could have crossed a prisoner's mind during those long 2,000 days (and nights).

May God Almighty expand his grave, and raise him as a just ruler on the last Day.

Notes from Prison - 2

- Some data from the history of Islam: The 13th century was the beginning of a great crisis. Mongolian hordes penetrated from Asia, defeating Persia in the first onslaught, the Baghdad Caliphate in the 2nd. The threat of the Franks hung over Syria, Palestine and Egypt. In Spain, the Reconquista defeats Almoravides and Muslim rule is confined to Granada and its surroundings. Arabs leave the scene for the next six centuries, while the Turks take over. Egypt partly recovers under the Mamelukes in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, after the Mongols had been driven out from Syria and the Crusades from Palestine. In the domain of culture, there are less and less original works and true literature and poetry; what prevail are encyclopedias, collections, compilations – only repetitions, typical signs of decline.

- One detail from Tabari’s vast collection of historical material. The Book of News on Prophets and Kings, gives some indications about the position (and role) of the woman in the early period of Islam.

A detailed description of the battle of Kadesi that was to decide the destiny of the Persian Empire includes the following lines:

”The sun rose on the third morning, all troops were in their positions, both Arabs and Persians. The muslims had already lost two thousand soldiers, severely wounded or killed, while the pagans had lost ten thousand of theirs. Saad said: You can bathe the killed, or bury them with their blood on. Gatherers carried bodies to the graves, while the wounded were committed to the woman’s care. Majid ebu Zaid supervised the work. Women and children were digging graves during the two days of Agwat and Armat, on both coasts of Mushariq; two and a half thousand soldiers who were killed on Kadesi were buried there” (Gabrielle, ibid, pp 198-199).

Notes from Prison, 1983-1988

A sample from Alija Izetbegovic's prison notes, when he was incarcerated under the communist regime of the former Yugoslavia in the 1980s:

"The history of Islam is yet to be written. What exists now under that title is everything but true history, which is not surprising. It was not written by an objective mind and with expertise, but either from passionate hatred or passionate love! Hatred and love write poetry, not history. In more than a thousand years, there were so many of those who reached for pen in order to slander, devaluate, or at least cover up. A lot of black paint was used to picture some events, or even entire ages, much darker than they had been.

Later on, some more objective minds occurred, but how could they get a real picture of a time that they were not able to know themselves (directly) and if all information that was available to them was full of bitter hate? Could they make objective and realistic judgements, even if they wanted to? On the other hand, devout and enthusiastic believers exaggerated in their way - glorifying successes of all kinds. But the real truth was most likely somewhere in between, because life as it is the case, had its ups and downs, its moments of light and shade. However, negative exaggeration was much more frequent and significant, so that it had a decisive influence upon the picture that was created on the developments that had taken place in the territories of the modern Islamic world"

Izetbegovic on Ramadan

Muslims have always held Ramadan as a manifestation of the community's spirit, and this is why they react so strongly to public violations of this duty. Since fasting is not solely an issue of faith in Islam, it is not only a personal matter of the individual but also a social obligation. Such an interpretation of a religious norm is incomprehensible in any other religion.

The Islamic fast which is the union of asceticism and joy - and even pleasure in certain cases - is the most natural and most radical educational measure that has ever been put into practice. It is equally present in the king's palace and the peasant's hut, in a philosopher's home and a worker's home. Its greatest advantage is that it is really practiced.

-adapted from Islam between East & West, by Alija Izetbegovic, p.210

Echoes of a Bosnian Prisoner

His name? Alija Izetbegovic.

His crime? Being a real Muslim, under Tito's communist regime in Yugoslavia, during the 1980s.

His fate after prison?

-President of Bosnia during the war-torn years and massacres of the 1990s.
-signed the famous Dayton Peace Accords in the mid 1990s.
-passed away from this world in 2003

His prominent works?

-Islam Between East & West (his magnum opus)
-Inescapable Questions: Autobiographical Notes
-Notes from Prison, 1983-1988 (a treasure chest of insights)

Here's one of his prison notes:

"In literature, the greatness of a hero is not in his social significance, but in the greatness of the moral dilemma he represents. A character is great if he represents the good and the evil in a novel, irrespective of his social ranking, his title or position. This is why, in a novel or a drama, a king may be an insignificant character and a servant may be a hero. Why is it not so in life? The reason is that in writing the writer introduces us to the soul of a hero, and in real life we get to know people only by their outer side. A man may be in our vicinity for years (at work or in the neighborhood) and we may believe that we know him, and what we know, in fact, are exactly the things that bear no moral value: name, profession, financial situation and social standing, etc. What is truly important and what no one but a writer could tell us about that person, usually remains unknown"

Allaaama Iqbal (rh) once said in a couplet:

'As for crows, they fly everywhere, freely
but the Shaheen (the eagle who soars high), everyone wishes to imprison him'

Our Bosnian amir flew to great heights by Allah's Grace. Unfortunate indeed, that so few Muslims today know of him, or read his works.

His masterpiece, Islam Between East and West, was PIVOTAL in my acceptance of Islam. A mentor of mine once expressed that there has been no Muslim contribution so broad in its scope, so unique and unconventional in its thrust, save this work.

Muslim thinkers & activists in southern India are now translating his "Notes from Prison" into two different languages. One of them is circulating each prison note on a daily basis in his newspaper, and the reader feedback has defied expectations.

So, read in the name of thy Lord, if you wish to know more:

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/113D2696-9691-4CA5-991A-E0180F491EC5.htm
(Izetbegovic: hero of Sarajevo)

www.angelfire.com/dc/mbooks/inescapable-questions.html
(a review of his autobiography)

www.angelfire.com/hi/nazam/Aceric.html
(a conversation with Dr. Mustafa Ceric, his close friend)

www.angelfire.com/dc/mbooks/alija-izetbegovic-obituary.html
(an obituary & scenes from his funeral)

Remembering Badr

"We should ask ourselves, on this 17th of Ramadan - have I ever TRULY perspired a drop of sweat, for the sake of Allah?" - today's khutbah

The 17th of Ramadan marks the day of the Battle of Badr.

A moment when the earliest believers and the Chosen Messenger (saw) who led them were granted a poignant & crucial military victory so glorious & so unfathomable, given the sheer odds. When the 313 persecuted, hungry yet zealous and spiritually indomitable Companions of the Messenger of God (saw) were severely tested by our Lord - and fought like warrior poets, against the Quraish tribes who vastly outnumbered them.

60 of them were Muhajirs. The rest were Ansars. And they did not fight alone. God was indeed pleased and reinforced this humble batallion of faith with legions of Angels!

Those veterans of Badr, have a very high rank amongst all of the Companions themselves (may Allah be well pleased with them all). During the rule of Hz Umar (ra), the highest pensions were awarded to the Badriyeen from the Bait-ul-Maal.

O soldiers of Badr! We salute you, and we Love you. God forever be pleased with you all.

Ya Rabb ul Izzah! Bestow upon us the resolve and goodness they had.

More on Badr, below:

www.geocities.com/badr_313/ (comprehensive history)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Badr

Sharing Supplications

There's no time like Ramadan, to make lots of du'a (supplications).

Personally, du'as have worked wonders for me by His grace. It's also had the added benefit of increasing my grasp of Arabic words, despite my illiteracy. This really helps, when I hear the same roots being used in tilawah (Qur'anic recitations).

I've also noticed that when one follows the etiquettes of making supplications (adab ad-dua) , it makes a real difference. There must be lists of etiquettes in the classical tomes that I remain unaware of, yet I do know this much:

1) One should begin with awareness of His majesty and one's own utter dependence on Him & mention His praise (eg. Alhamdulillah ar-rabbil Aalameen)

2) Then one should recite prayers on Rasulullah (saw)

3) Then one should make prayers for oneself FIRST (istighfar, especially) and then for others.

4) Upon closing this appointment with our Lord, one should again praise Him and then end with prayers on Rasulullah (saw).

Imam Tirmidhi narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) said ‘Verily, supplications are stalled between the heavens and the earth, and are not lifted up until the supplicant invokes blessings upon the Prophet (saw).’

Of course there are other 'obvious' etiquettes in du'a, such as being in wu'dhu, facing the Ka'bah, invoking His Beautiful Names in relation to what we ask Him for, etc.

There are also the favorable TIMES in which du'a is usually heard by Allah (swt). In our prostrations during prayer. While fasting. The month of Ramadan. During rainfall. In the depth of the night. While we are struck with illness or other calamities. And whenever we feel intense emotional pain, thus propelling our hearts to seek Grace.

It's said that du'a is the weapon of the believer. With that in mind, let us truly be comrades in arms and share our spiritual artillery.

Here are a few du'as I especially love (pardon the crude translations):

1) From Rasulullah (saw):

Allahumma inni audhu`bika min ilm la yanfaa
wa audhu `bika min qalbi la yakshaa
wa audhu `bika min nafsin la tashbaa
wa audhu `bika min dawaat la yustajaad

(Oh God! I seek refuge in you from knowledge which has no benefit
and from a heart which does not fear
and from a self that is not satisfied
and from prayers which go unanswered)

Allahumma inni as`alukal hudaa wat-tuqaa, wa`l afaafa, wa`l ghina

(Oh God! I ask you for guidance, for piety, for chastity & for wealth)

2) From Imam Sufyan at-Thawri (ra):

Ahmad ibn Yunus relates that he used to hear Sufyan say countless times:

Allahumma sallim sallim. Allahumma sallimna `warzuqna al-aafiyata fid-dunya wa`l akhira

(Oh God, keep me safe. Oh God grant me security and enrich me with utmost good in this life and the hereafter)

Come on people, share your du'as! Allah will smile on us all. Perhaps if we're fortunate, He shall grant us more than what we ask.

wa sal`Allahu a`lan-Nabiyy.

under His shade

Everyone give a big-ups to one of my closest companions in this duniyah, by visiting his blog:

http://cloakedtraveller.blogspot.com

He's someone I've known for years. When I took my shahadah, he was by my side. A junior med school batchmate of mine, he's now working as a house surgeon in one of rural Karnataka's busy hospitals.

So if his blog isn't updated enough for your attention span, understand there are 2 reasons for this:

-he's a doctor
-your nafs is impatient

He recently became a father too - hence, Abu Unaysah. Isn't she adorable? Yes, she is.

Yes, he's american like me. And yes ladies, he's married.

I pray that he & I be under Allah's shade, at a time when there is no Shade except His. I'm certain he makes du'a for this more consistently than I do.

Welcome aboard, bro.

Month of Blessings or Fitan?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4323008.stm

Another Earthquake strikes. Qadr`ullahi wa masha`a fa`aala...

The BBC-World has been reporting on this non-stop over the past 24 hours, calling it "the South Asian Quake", since it's affected not only Pakistan, but neighboring India and Afghanistan as well. Delhi and Rajasthan, and Srinagar in particular, sustained serious damage.

Death and destruction is rampant in all three regions, but especially Pakistan, particularly the Muzaffarabad & Azad (also known as Pakistan-occupied) Kashmir region. As of Sunday morning, the BBC-World put out an estimate of 18,000 feared dead in Pakistan ALONE.

There is Fitan all over the world now. It's scary, especially that it's happening in the holiest of our Months. Not just the South Asian quake.

Not just the hurricanes’ Katrina/Rita (and now, Stan?) which has now reached saturation in our souls & media.

Not just the fact that worshippers in Iraq have to be extra careful a bomb doesn't go off in their masajid while they pray Tarawih.

Central America, now has major flooding, and many are dying & left homeless.

The CDC and WHO fear a real flu pandemic, that may kill tens of millions - and these are relatively conservative estimates. It’s rare that both of these agencies issue warnings simultaneously, and in alarmist fashion. There are already established human cases in China and Canada.

It is self-evident to anyone with an ounce of Iman & Khawf in their hearts, that all of this is a sign from al-Muntaqir, al-Sareeul`Hisab. (the Avenger, the Swift in Reckoning). When earthquakes strike, they come swiftly and take everything that is dear to us, away. All that we hoard up. The earth also shakes, because *she* is releasing her Burden, as Surah Zalzalah so clearly illustrates. What burden is this?

Our sins, and our ghaflah (heedlessness). Individual, familial, societal, regional, global.

Sh Nuh relates in an online lecture, that Imam Junaid al-Baghdadi (ra) once said:

Al-aarifoon are asleep..! wa`l-Jahiloon amwaat.

(the Knowers of God are asleep!...and the ignorant ones are DEAD).

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum.....awaken us from our dying slumber. Help us to defeat the dirty intrigues of our Selves.

Ya Allah - bring us back to LIFE (say Ameen with me, and MEAN it)

On hiatus

Tolkeinian musings don't die, even in this month. I hope to milk barakah from it nonetheless, insha'Allah.

I'm in Gondor now. Crack open your maps of India, use a little imagination and some analysis of what Tolkein's descriptions of what Gondor was like, and you might just pinpoint my current 'residence.'

Why Gondor? 'Coz my mushrik relatives are there. We also know that maintaining ties with our relatives is a vital part of our deen. Even, and perhaps especially, when they are non-Muslim.

Yet I'm on Safr (long journey) now, which technically exempts me from fasting. While I am maintaining my fard and du'as thanks to His tawfiq, saum is a TRUE shield. One which I've forgotten how to wear. The psychological guilt of consuming food/drink while you know the ummah is on empty stomach can sometimes overwhelm.

But I know Allah is the Most Understanding, and the Truly Merciful.

My wise mentor, who some consider 'the beloved of the Beloved', said:

"I'm not fooled by spiritual speculations. Don't fret about a 'compromised' Ramadan, Allah will give you TEN Ramadans.'

When Neo (Keanu Reeves) met the oracle in 'The Matrix,' she knew the advices given would disconcert him. She said: 'Sorry kid - you've got the gift. But it looks like you're waiting for something'

As Neo left her abode, Morpheus smiled and said:

'What was said, was for you - and you, alone'

The sincere 'ulamah & shuyook (learned, God-fearing scholars) are our oracles. Pragmatic wise men also guide us, when He feels we need nuts & bolts advice. Even a drunk man, or a helpless newborn, can impart lessons to us our parents or other well-intentioned souls, cannot.

Ultimately, no one has a monopoly on 'Irshad, save Him. Towards Hikmah then. Towards Afiya, Sahl, Sabr & the firmest maqams of Iman.

Oh Allah, I can only TRY, to Run to You alone. Show me the meaning of Haste to your Pleasure...

“..the White Wizard, approaches..”

So said Legolas, the mystical elven warrior of Tolkein’s ‘The Two Towers’

As I read my earlier post, ‘Rajab, Ramadhan & Tolkein,’ I now realize that I'm forced to eat my words. Why do I say this?

Read what Imam Zaid Shakir says in his latest piece (http://www.zaytuna.org/articleDetails.asp?articleID=63#_ftn2):

Those who have failed to take advantage of the months of Rajab and Sha’ban to prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan should be especially careful to take full advantage of the latter month.

Reflect on Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali's words:

Harken! O you who was not content to sin throughout Rajab.
His rebellion against his Lord had to continue the duration of Sha’ban.

The month of fasting has now come to shade and shelter you,
Do not transform it also into a month of sinning.

Recite the Qur’an and glorify [God], with diligent assertion.

Indeed! It is a month for glorification and the Qur’an.

Deny your bodily appetites, seeking your soul’s salvation.
Eventually, the earth will consume the body.

How many deceased people have you known who fasted?Amongst your family, neighbors, and brothers.

Death has erased them, leaving you behind.

Get serious [about your religion], for the living are quite close to the dead!

You take delight in the ‘Eid outfits being cut out now for the festival.
But soon they will be your burial shrouds.

How long will the person be happy with his worldly home?
Knowing that his ultimate home is the grave

(Source: Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Lata’if al-Ma’arif [The Subtleties of Knowledge], (Damascus: Dar Ibn Kathir, 1997/1416) p. 282.)

I humbly thank all of you who've made this blog possible & continue to visit and give me feedback. Please continue to do so, and don't be afraid to be harsh in your criticism. I welcome it.

And spare me a moment in your du'as to Him, because once again, this revert of a mushrik family will not be able to enjoy a full Ramadhan this year...

Ya Rabb ul Izzah - grant me Refuge and embrace me tightly...
And exalt and bless Rasulullah and his family, wives, zurriyat & ansars, for eternity...

Rumi (ra) on Destiny

UmmZ, how DO you do it? Masha'Allah - may you be blessed for the timely reminder, that it's our Mawlana's birthday.

I share this pearl of his, from a student of diyn & lover of Rumi:

Once a person goes to Prophet Sulaiman (a.s) and complains to him saying that : I’ve been walking in the city streets and Azreal, the Angel of Death, came and stared at me in a very horrible manner. As you can see I am so frightened that my face has become white, and I am trembling from head to foot. I kindly request you to use your God given powers, and send me off to some other country. I don’t wish to remain in this country anymore.

On hearing this poor mans plea, Prophet Sulaiman agrees to his request, and so, he commands the wind to take this person all the way to India, and the wind sweeps this person across the Ocean and takes him all the way to India.

Then, Sulaiman (a.s) summons Azrael (the angel of death) and asks him : why have you been scaring one of my men by staring at him in a ridiculous manner. That friend of mine was so terribly scared that, he had even requested me to send him all the way to India.

Azrael replies : O Prophet of God, the reason why I stared at him like that was because, God had commanded me to take the soul of this person TOMORROW from India, and I was really surprised to see him TODAY still walking around in the streets of this country (Ethiopia). I was so perplexed and confused at it, and that’s why I was looking at him in a curious and ridiculous manner. I was simply wondering, “What is he doing here in Ethiopia, while Allah had commanded me to take his soul tomorrow from India. Now that he is in India, my confusion is over, and so, tomorrow I can take his soul just as how God had commanded me to do so.”

-The Mathnawi of Jalaluddin Rumi